Ajith Abeyratne (1948 – 25 October 2023) was a Sri Lankan rugby union player, administrator, commentator and coach.
| Date of birth | 1948 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date of death | 25 October 2023 (aged 75) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Trinity College, Kandy | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing career edit
During his schooling days at Trinity College, he excelled in numerous sports including rugby, cricket, basketball, tennis, athletics and basketball. He began playing rugby at school level at the age of 15.[1] He rose to prominence and limelight as a household name in Kandy for his sporting pedigree. He made his fully-fledged rugby debut for Trinity First XV outfit in 1965. He began his rugby career as a second row forward.[2]
Abeyratne captained the Trinity College school rugby teams in 1967 and 1968. He subsequently won the school colours and the prestigious coveted Lion in rugby. He was also adjudged as the best all-round student in 1968 for which he was conferred with the prestigious Ryde Gold Medal. He was an integral member of Trinity rugby side which clinched both legs of the Bradby Shield in 1967 to become overall champions.[3][4] He also thrived in cricket as he famously scored a quickfire 62 ball century in a span of just 69 minutes in a schools cricket match against Royal College in 1968 at Asgiriya Stadium and it remains the fastest century recorded by a batsman in a schools match encounter between Trinity College and Royal College.[5]
Abeyratne also eventually represented Ceylonese Rugby & Football Club in club rugby between 1968 and 1974. He also went onto play for Sri Lanka national rugby union team from 1968 to 1971.
Coaching career edit
Abeyratne also served as the national head coach of Sri Lanka national rugby sevens team for a brief stint which lasted for around three years from 1985 to 1988. Under his coaching tenure, Sri Lankan rugby sevens side became runners-up twice in bowls competition at the 1986 and 1987 Hong Kong Sevens.[6] Sri Lanka 7's also made overseas tours to Wales, Hong Kong, Australia, Taiwan and Singapore during his coaching stint with the national team. He also coached Sri Lankan rugby sevens team for the 1987 World Rugby Sevens which was held in Sydney. He also worked as head coach and consultant of Ceylonese Rugby & Football Club for nearly two decades.[5]
Abeyratne was in the forefront as an important member of the Technical Committee appointed by Sri Lanka Rugby to analyse the players performances and training campaigns of players just ahead of Korean leg and UAE leg of the 2022 Asia Rugby Sevens.[7] He also obtained coaching certificates from Wales, England, Australia and New Zealand and also obtained International Rugby Board Level 3 certificate.[1]
Death edit
Ajith Abeyratne died on 25 October 2023, at the age of 75.[8]
References edit
- ^ a b "Ajith Abeyratne: The silent warrior". Sunday Observer. 2 November 2019. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
- ^ "Former Trinity Lion Abeyratne No More". dailymirrorepaper.pressreader.com. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
- ^ Marikar, Hafiz. "Trinity's victorious Bradby Shield team celebrates 50 years". Daily News. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
- ^ "Bradby reminiscences of 50 years ago | The Sunday Times Sri Lanka". Retrieved 28 October 2023.
- ^ a b Abeykoon, Gayan (26 October 2023). "Rugby star Ajith Abeyratne dies". DailyNews. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
- ^ Today, Ceylon (26 October 2023). "Ajith Abeyratne: The Gentle Giant of Rugby passes away". Ceylon Today. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
- ^ "National Rugby Sevens training to commence | Daily FT". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
- ^ Dhananjan, Kevin (26 October 2023). "Rugby Legend Ajith Abeyratne Passes Away". ThePapare.com. Retrieved 28 October 2023.